Harlequin Wrap

Jim Varnum

Introduction

I recently purchased a new set of road bars for my Rodriguez bicycle and
decide to add a harlequin accent to the bar tops. The harlequin pattern is
created using two colors of cotton tape. While other tape materials could be
used, cotton is an ideal choice due to it's strength and durability. This
document describes my method for wrapping road bars using this pattern.

Figure 1 shows the finished harlequin accent. When I do this wrap, I start at
the top of the bar (nearest the stem) and work toward the ends. The two most
difficult parts of the wrap are:

Starting the wrap

Matching both halves of the bar

The keys to successful harlequin wrapping are patience and practice.

Figure 1. Harlequin accent

Of all of the cotton tapes I've tried, I prefer CAT EYE. I've found it to
be the most durable and easiest to use. Cotton tape differs from it's
foamy/stretchy counterparts in that it has far less stretch. Wrapping with
cotton tape requires more effort but the results are, in my opinion, worth it.

Figure 2. CAT EYE cotton tape

For the traditionalists, a finished cotton tape wrap is usually coated
with shellac. Figure 2 shows a box of CAT EYE brand cotton tape.

Wrapping the Bars

The harlequin wrap consists of two different colors of cotton tape joined at the
ends and wrapped around the bar in opposite directions. The two colors
alternately pass over and under each other to form a weave pattern. Because
cotton tape stretches very little, it helps to join the two colors together
at an angle relative to one another. This allows the tapes to angle toward
the ends of the bars which helps during the wrap process. If this statement
seems confusing, don't worry, it will be illustrated below.
For my bars, I've chosen blue and black tapes.

Figure 2a. Seamless start of wrap

My method of starting the wrap is to join the two tapes by folding one over
the other at an angle. Once started, the wrap appears to simply emerge
from beneath itself with no visible ends requiring additional tape to
secure. See Figure 2a.

Figure 3. Single wrap to guage fold length

Begin by wrapping one end of the blue tape around the bar to guage the
amount of tape required to perform the first wrap. Mark the point of
intersection with your finger. See Figure 3. Just 'ball-park it, there is no
need for high accuracy here.

Figure 4. The initial fold

The initial fold is formed on a diagonal from one corner (at the end of the
tape) to the opposite edge, over the length of one turn. The fold will be
oriented toward the stem and should be made so that the tape will angle
toward the bar end as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5. Joining the two tapes

The black tape is then folded over the blue such that the two tapes angle
toward the end of the bar. Also, make certain that both colors are joined
such that their sticky sides are the same side .... sounds obvious but
it's easy to get this wrong. See Figure 5.

Figure 6. The two tapes folded and joined

Figure 6 shows the two colors folded and joined and ready to begin the wrap.
Note that the tapes form a shallow angle relative to one another. This
creates a very clean start wrap and angles the tape for easier wrapping as
mentioned before.

Figure 7. Making the first blue wrap

Wrap the blue tape once around the bar. It is important to note that neither
tape overlaps itself as would be the case during a conventional wrap. So the
edges of the blue tape should touch but not overlap. See Figure 7.

Figure 8. Making the first black wrap

Next, wrap the black tape once around the bar as shown in Figure 8. This wrap
should cross over the blue tape. Now, the benefits of joining the two colors
at an angle can be seen.

Figure 9. Making the first weave

Pull the blue tape back and wrap the black tape around the bar one more
time. This sets up the first weave that gives the harlequin wrap it's
distinctive look. At this point, the blue tape should appear to be
squeezed out from between adjacent wraps of the black tape. See Figure 9.

Figure 10. Wrapping the blue over the black

As shown in Figure 10, unfold the blue tape so that it lays over the
black and wrap it around the bar.

Figure 11. Pulling the black tape back

Now, pull the black tape back to allow the blue tape to pass under it. As
mentioned, both tapes are simply wrapped around the bar in opposite
directions with no overlap. In this way, each color is laid in an
over/under alternating weave. See Figure 11.

Figure 12. Blue tape laid under black

Figure 12 shows the blue tape laid under the black and pulled tight.

Figure 13. Repeating the weave pattern

Finally, the black tape is unfolded and laid over the blue. The process
is repeated for the desired length of the wrap. See Figure 13.

Conclusion

This document attempts to describe my method for wrapping handle bars in a
harlequin pattern. Patience and some trial and error will probably be
necessary to get the hang of it and to match both the left and right
sides of the bar. It may be helpful to practice using some
inexpensive tape on a broom handle or dowel firmly secured in a vise. This
will help develop a feel for the process.

Figure 14. Completed accent wrap

Figure 15. Example full wrap

Whether this pattern is used to accent the bars as
illustrated here and shown in Figure 14, or to wrap it's entire length
as seen in Figure 15, the harlequin wrap is a nice way to make your
pretty bike just a little bit prettier ..... Enjoy.